Film printing apparatus



Feb. 18, 1969 s..H-:FFEE ETAL FILM PRINTING APPARATUS y Filed March 4, 1966 United States Patent O "ice 3,428,399 FILM PRINTING APPARATUS Saul Jeffee, Scarsdale, N.Y., and John Kowalak, River Edge, NJ., assignors to Movielab, Inc., New York N.Y. Filed Mar. 4, 1966, Ser. No. 531,977 U.S. Cl. 355-100 11 Claims Int. Cl. G03b 27/16, 27/30 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for printing photographic film is installed in a wall so that the negative can be handled in non-safe light zone whereas the rawstock is handled in a separate zone in which safe lighting conditions are maintained. Liquid gate techniques and continuous negative techniques are employed.

This invention relates'to the printing of film such as, for example, the printing of unexposed film from a continuous preprint film.

Basically, the invention is concerned with improving conventional dark-light and white-light printing techniques by utilizing and combining the better features of both to provide optimum facility and convenience in the handling of film and equipment. For purposes of explanation, reference will hereinafter be made to positive and negative films. These terms, however, are intended to be illustrative only and do not limit the invention. Thus where reference is made to a positive film, this is intended to be illustrative of -unexposed film or rawstock or the like; where reference is made to a negative film, this is intended to be illustrative of preprint film or the like.

Before, for example, positive films are exposed to light through a negative film preparatory to subsequent development, they are sensitive to light and precautions must be taken to avoid undesired exposure of the film to photographically non-safe light (which term will be used hereafter to indicate subdued to bright white light or any light capable of causing undesired activity in photographic film).

The negative film, on the other hand, having been previously developed, does not require protection. However, since the negative film is used together with the positive film, all precautions applied to the positive film are usually applied to the negative film or else the positive film must be inconveniently placed in a magazine. Thus, for example, if the positive film is handled in photographically safe light (which term shall include the absence of light or any light in which photographic film will remain as inactive as required), the negative film is generally also handled in safe light. If, on the other hand, the negative film is handled in non-safe light, the positive films must be placed in a magazine.

Unfortunately, the negative film frequently requires a handling which would be rendered most difficult by the fact that it must be handled in safe light. For exam-ple, it must be examined for scratches or other such defects which if present could ruin a large number of positive films. This complexity is particularly distressing if a type of printing is employed which is known as wet gate or wet applicator printing. The reason for this is that in wet printing the negative film must be examined to make sure that it has been dried after passing through the gate or applicator, as will be later explained in greater detail. If magazines are employed to avoid the above problems, this results in loss of time and various other complications.

One object of the invention is to provide an im- Patented Feb. 18, 1969 proved apparatus in which the positive film is protected against exposure to non-safe light, while the negative film is arranged `for handling in non-safe light to facilitate an inspection and to provide vfor ease of handling and threading. Another object is to avoid the use of magazines.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement which enables, in conjunction with a plurality of printing operations, the facile handling of a plurality of positive films all under the same light conditions which are particular to preserving the film.

To achieve the above and other of its objectives, the invention contemplates the provision of an apparatus which facilitates printing from a continuous negative film, capable of being handled in non-safe light without damage, 4onto a positive film which must be handled under particular light conditions to avoid dam-age.

Said apparatus comprises in accordance with the invention printing means including a positive (unexposed) film handling section and a negative (preprint) film handling section and further means defining a closed chamber in which said particular light conditions exist and including a Wall bounding the aforesaid chamber and through which said printing means extends in lighttight relation.

The positive film handling section is located in the safe-light chamber, whereby the positive film can be handled without further precaution. The negative film handling section is positioned at least in part outside of the aforenoted chamber, whereby there may be ernployed in relation to the negative film a source of light convenient to the handling of the same.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, access means is provided with respect to the aforenoted chamber to permit entry into the same. In accordance with another similar feature, a flexible light-tight sock may be attached to the wall to enable a limited access into the chamber.

Preferably, as will be seen hereinafter, the nagative film is provided in the form of a closed loop Which can be run repeatedly without need for rewinding or remounting the same. Accordingly, with respect to the invention, there is preferably provided a means operatively associated with the negative film handling apparatus to drive the negative film along a Closed loop path.

In accordance with the invention, it is further contemplated that the above-noted printing means includes a printing light source and a liquid device or gate through which the negative film passes, the device being provided with a light permeable aperture through which light from the printing light source passes, as will be disclosed in greater detail hereinafter.

Moreover, there is contemplated as a feature of the invention a control means for maintaining a predetermined fiuid level in the above-noted liquid device, this control means preferably including a float cup hydraulically coupled to the gate to control the liquid level in the same. V

Moreover, there is contemplated within the scope of the invention the provision of a liquid reservoir with a pump connected to the same to drive liquid to an intermediate tank located above the gate and the float cup and coupled to the float cup by means of an electromagnetically controlled valve which in turn is controlled by the level of liquid in the float cup.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will be found in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 diagrammatically illustrates a printing apparatus arrangement provided in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 diagrammatically illustrates in further detail the arrangement of a single printing apparatus arranged in accordance with the invention and including a liquid gate; and

FIGURE 3 illustrates on enlarged scale some of the details ofthe liquid gate.

The apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a plurality of printing machines 10, 12 and 14, which are l0- cated in an area generally located at 16.

Said machines 10, 12 and 14 extend in light-tight relation through a wall or light arresting separator 18 which bounds on one side a chamber 20 having three addi-tional walls and being completely enclosed and constituting a a photographically safe light (including complete dark) chamber in which the positive film may be handled without precaution against exposure to non-safe light. Said light-tight relation can be insured by the use of putty or by any conventional arrangement.

Machines 10, 12 and 14 also extend partly into a second area or chamber 22 Which constitutes an illuminated area in which a source of non-safe light 24, preferably subdued, is illustrated by way of example.

The details of, for example, the machine 12 as may be required to understand this invention, are next explained in greater particularity with reference to FIG. 2, which illustrates somewhat idiagrammatically the aforesaid machine 12, as well as the Wall 18 and the light source or electric bulb 24 which, it will be understood, is a symbolic representa-tion only of non-safe light in which the negative film can be handled as may be required for a printing operation.

It is also to be noted with respect to FIG. 2 that that portion of the machine 12 which is in the dark chamber 20 is shown in solid lines, Whereas that portion of the machine 12 which is in the illuminated area 22 is shown in dotted lines.

Except to the extent necessary to understand the environment of the invention and to the extent set forth hereinafter in greater detail, the patriculars of the machine 12 as a printing device are not within the scope of the invention and a Wide variety of such machines are commercially available and operable within the context set forth herein below. Generally, however, such machines will include a base 26, a stand 28 and an optical element housing section 30.

Such machines will also include a positive film takeup 32 and a positive film source 34. The source 34 is a housing mechanism without which may be positioned a reel of positive film such -as the positive film 36 illustrated in FIG. 2. Said film passes through the optical elements of the machine and thence to the take-up 32, Whereat the film is wound while awaiting development. The take-up 32 may be such as to provide a covered casing in which the exposed film 36 can be removed to -a development station, or alternatively, the development station may be included within the chamber 20 so that a lighttight casing for the exposed positive film is unnecessary.

Elements 32 and 34 will generally be considered as constituting the positive film handling section of the printing device. However, it will be understood that other related elements or components may very well be employed in association with this section. This section finds its counterpart on the other side of wall 18, for the purpose of handling the negative film. The negative film handling section may be constituted by a negative film source (not shown) and a negative film take-up 38, or alternatively there may be provided a negative film handling device 40 which, for purposes of convenience, may be considered to constitute a part of the printing mechanism.

In any event, a continuous negative film 42 is provided in the illuminated area 22, which is moved continuously and in an exposure zone in juxtaposition to the positive film 36 which is also continuously moved so that images which appear on the negative film 42 are transferred to the positive film 36 in such a manner that the negative film 42 constitutes a matter for printing a multitude of such positive films 36. At the same time it is to be appreciated that there may be -a multitude of printing devices such as devices 10, 12 and 14 illustrated in FIG. 1, with each of which is associated a negative film operatively employed with positive films to which images are to be transferred.

If an arrangement is employed such as illustrated in FIG. l, it Will be appreciated that an operator can be stationed in the chamber 20 to service a multitude of printing machines, such as, for example, by continuously supplying new reels of unexposed positive film for processing. This operation is entirely independent of the operation which is going on in the illuminated area 22 and does not interfere in any manner whatsoever with the operation going on in the -area 22 excepting that the respective printing machines will be stopped during a change in positive film reels.

To permit access between zone 12 and area 20 there may be provided a door or access 44. As an alternative to or in conjunction with said door, there may be provided a flexible sock 46 of lighttight material fastened by a rim 48 around a hole or opening provided in the wall 18.

Door 44 involves an interesting optional feature of the invention in accordance with which a switch 44a operated by the door is used. This switch shuts off light 24 when the door is open, but leaves or turns on a light 24a. Light 24a provides a type and level of light which is useful in zone 12, but which will not 4reach area 20 with a magnitude which can do harm to the unexposed film therein. For example, light 24a may have 25% of the illumination power of light 24 and while being useful in zone 12 will -be harmless relative to area 20 even with the door open.

In connection with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the preferred printing technique employed is a wet printing technique. This includes wet gate and wet applicator printing and the like. The wet gate technique, for example, involves immersing the negative film in a liquid having an index of refraction corresponding to that of the negative film in the zone in which light is passed through the negative film to transfer the images thereon to the positive film employed in conjunction therewith. The use of `such liquid compensates for scratches and so forth in the negative film and gives a vastly superior type of printing result.

A wet gate 50, shown by way of example and not limitation, is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 3, in association with a lens 52 through which images are transferred to the positive film 36. The image transfer is effected by the use of a light source 54 which directs a beam 56 of light through the Wet gate and thence through the lens 52 onto the film 36.

As appears in FIG. 3, the wet gate consists of an upwardly open tank 60 having walls 62 and 64 respectively provided with apertures 66 and 68, in which are fit windows 70 and 72, said windows are of optical fiat glass and are sealed in liquid-tight relationship with the Walls 62 and 64. At the bottom of the tank 60 is an opening 74, the negative film 42 passing upwardly through the tank 60 and outwardly through the opening 74.

Liquid is supplied to the tank 60 by `means of an inlet conduit 76 and below the aperture 74 are provided wipeoffs 78 which, together with the film 42, constitute a substantially liquid-tight stopper at the lbottom of the tank to prevent the free gravitational flow of fluid therefrom. Wipe-offs 78 serve to strip the Amajor portion of the liquid from the film 42 as the latter passes downwardly out of the liquid gate.

Light passes through the windows 70 and 72 in the direction indicated by the arrow 80 and thus passes through the film 42 to transfer images on the latter to the positive film which is supplied as indicated hereinabove.

Additionally to the above, there may be provided further wipe-offs 82 and the film 42 may be, moreover, passed through a chamber 84, having an air exhaust 86 connected thereto to remove the last remaining vestiges of liquid from the film. It is absolutely essential that the film be dried before the same is rewound on a reel or further processed, in order to avoid a spoiling or streaking of the film.

Returning now to FIG. 2 it is seen that the inlet conduit 76 attached to the liquid gate tank 60 is connected to a float cup 88 which may be of conventional con-struction and which is of the type that when the fluid level therein has reached a determinable level an electrical circuit is closed. Fluid flow between the oat cup 88 and the wet gate 50 is unimpeded so that the level 0f fluid in the gate is the same as the level of fluid in the float cup 88.

Any overflow of liquid in the fioat cup 88 returns via a line 90 to a reservoir 92 which constitutes the basic source of the fluid employed. Reservoir 92 is coupled via a line 94 to a rate control valve 96 which is in turn connected to a pump 98.

Pump 98 is connected via a cut-oif valve 100 to an intermediate tank 102, the position of which is physically above that of the fioat cup 88 and the wet gate 50, so that fluid may be gravitationally fed to the latter.

Intermediate tank 102 has a drain-off cond-uit 104 and is connected via a conduit 106 to an electromagnetically controlled valve 108, including a solenoid 110 and a valve portion 112. Solenoid portion 110 is connected via an electrically conductive line 114 to a float cup 88, for electrical control by the latter. Valve 112 is connected in line 106 to hydraulically couple and isolate the tank 102 from the float cup 88 and the Wet gate 50.

Valve 112 is surrounded on opposite sides by manual cut-olf valves 116 and 118, whereby the valve 112 may be isolated for servicing or removal or the like.

As has been noted hereinabove, the negative film 42 is preferably provided in the form of a closed loop, to minimize handling of the same. Such a loop must necessarily be of a relatively long length and to accommodate the same there is provided a special arrangement of rollers in the afrenoted device 40.

More particularly, a multitude of rollers 120 and 122 are provided arranged on respective shafts defining parallel and spaced axes and connnected to a common mechanical drive 124 operated by a motor 126. The film 42 is passed in successive loops around respective of the rollers 120 and 122 and is driven through a closed loop path by means of the motor 126 having a friction bearing connection with the aforesaid rollers (not shown).

Finally, relative to lens 52, it is preferable that said lens be located approximately in the plane of the wall 18 from the point of view of isolating the positive film handling section from the negative film handling section.

In operation, a multitude of printing devices of the above-noted type or of various commercial varieties, may be concomitantly operated with all of the positive film handling sections being on one side of the wall 18 and located in the safe light or dark chamber 20. All of the positive film handling sections thus located can be monitored by a single operator who can remain in the chamber 20 without performing any acts which would endanger the positive films being processed. On the other hand, each of the negative film handling sections are located in illuminated area 22, and in such area can be serviced at will without jeopardizing the positive films while at the same time all of said negative films can be carefully examined and inspected as is necessary. At the same time the necessary level of liquid can be maintained in the associated liquid or wet gates as is required by the provision of the automatic apparatus described above and such monitoring operation can be effected wherever the liquid gate may be positioned in the apparatus. It will also be appreciated that the portion of the monitoring apparatus constituted by the float cup 88 may also be used to shut down the overall apparatus in the event of an emergency such as leakage of liquid or such.

There will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications and variations of the structure and arrangements set forth above. However, these modifications and variations will not depart from the scope of the invention if defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for facilitating printing from preprint film capable of being handled in photographically nonsafe light without damage, onto an unexposed film which must be handled under particular light conditions to avoid damage; said apparatus comprising printing means including an unexposed film handling section and a preprint-film handling section, further means defining an enclosed area in which said particular light conditions exist and including a light arresting means bounding said enclosed area and through which said printing means extends in at least substantially light-tight relation, said unexposed-film handling section being located in said enclosed area whereby the unexposed film can be handled Iwithout requiring a magazine, said preprint-film handling section being positioned at least in part outside of said enclosed area 1whereby there may be employed in relation thereto a source of non-safe light convenient to the handling of said preprint film, said printing means including a printing light source and a wet printing means through which said preprint film passes, said wet printing means being located outside of said enclosed area and being provided with a light permeable aperture through which light from the printing light source passes, a lens operatively associated with said printing light source and at least approximately in the plane of said light arresting means, means defining an enclosed zone in which said preprint-film handling section is located, and light means in the enclosed zone to provide non-safe light with said access closed and a quality of light tolerable with respect to said particular light conditions with said access opened.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said further means includes an openable access to said enclosed area.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said preprint film is in an endless loop, comprising means operatively associated with said preprint film handling apparatus to drive said preprint film along an endless loop path.

`4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the latter said means includes first and second pluralities of rollers respectively aligned on spaced parallel axes and motor means to drive the rollers at a common speed.

5. Apparatus as 'claimed in claim 1, comprising control means for maintaining a predetermined fluid level in said wet printing means.

`6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the wet printing means is provided with a fluid receptacle, said control means including a fioat cup hydraulically coupled to said wet printing means to control liquid level in the latter.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, comprising a liquid reservoir, a pump connected to said reservoir, an intermediate tank located above said wet printing means and fioat cup and coupled to said pump, and an electromagnetically controlled valve coupled between said tank and float cup for the selective .gravitational feed of iliquid to the wet printing means and float cup, said valve including a solenoid electrically connected to the float cup and controlled by the latter.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, comprising a control valve between said tank and iioat cup to control rate of fiow to the latter and cut-0E valves upstream and closed area is sufficiently large to accommodate at least one operator servicing the unexposed film handling seclo tion.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said enclosed zone is suicently large to accommod-ate at least 95-13. one operator servicing the preprint-hlm handling section.

JOHN M. HORAN, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

